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Anxiety

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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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amalee78 Anxiety and the gym
  • replies: 1

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn... View more

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn't feel great about to begin with). The results showed I have a high amount of fat in my body and a low amount of muscle - I did tell them I haven't been able to lift more than a litre of milk without pain in the last four years. But she said I am at high risk of diabetes and all that stuff. My mother in law has told me at least a dozen times since she found out I joined a gym that I have put on so much weight etc etc.... Because of this I have started worrying my fat is going to kill me. I did my first hour class of strengthening activities for abdominals and back yesterday, which i absolutely loved - but today my stomach muscles are sore and I am worried that my tumour is getting bigger. I keep telling myself it's just sore muscles - but then I worry it's the tumour getting bigger which is making a different part of my stomach sore. I do realise I probably sound a bit crazy, but I am in some sort of tizzy at the moment and just don't know how to get myself out of it. Generally I can't bear to look at or touch my stomach at all, and the soreness I'm feeling today has really got me going. I would love some words of wisdom...

CourtneyJ Anxiety when travelling internationally
  • replies: 3

Hi all, Quick summary, 30 year old single female, introvert, diagnosed with GAD and depression over 10 years ago (but had it all my life). I currently take anti anxiety medication daily so on a day to day basis I function very well. So normally when ... View more

Hi all, Quick summary, 30 year old single female, introvert, diagnosed with GAD and depression over 10 years ago (but had it all my life). I currently take anti anxiety medication daily so on a day to day basis I function very well. So normally when I travel domestically and go on holidays I have no issues. In fact I VERY much prefer it. I like being completely on my own, lying in bed reading books all day and basically cutting myself off from the outside world. I do worry about the normal stuff (like my car getting stolen or my house burning down) but never about my own safety or anything. It's when I travel internationally that I have problems. I went to Bali 2 years ago for a 1 week relaxing retreat. I spent two days in a continuous panic attack (crying, shaking, hyperventilating, not sleeping) before I had to cut my holiday short and fly home early. Once I got back I had to spend 2 days at my parent's house recovering before I could bring myself to go home. The thing that seemed to upset me the most was the fact that everything was so foreign. The streets, the shops, the people there was nothing that was recognisable. My head was spinning because I couldn't seem to establish and point of reference to anything. And then I realised how far away from home I was and then I just lost it. Fast forward to today and my boss has asked me to travel to the Philippines for a week to meet and work with our partner company. Now this is slightly different because I will be going with someone (he's a great guy and he's really supportive about my anxiety but he is still my boss so I can't completely lose it) and I will be working all of the time (so less time by myself for my brain to become idle and let the anxious thoughts take over). But regardless of all the above I'm still worried about having panic attacks when I'm there. I can't blow this huge opportunity for my career. So my question is: has anyone experienced this too? And what techniques have you used to overcome your anxiety? Thanks & peace

Emma2727 Feel super spacey
  • replies: 3

I've always had state anxiety when it comes to attending social events, and often will pull out lame excuses to avoid going, but nothing extreme. Once I'm out though I've always been fine and most people would never believe what an effort it was to t... View more

I've always had state anxiety when it comes to attending social events, and often will pull out lame excuses to avoid going, but nothing extreme. Once I'm out though I've always been fine and most people would never believe what an effort it was to talk myself into attending as I'll probably be the last to go home. Lately, however, I've just felt spaced out constantly and have had three panic attacks at work when it's quiet and I had too much time to think over everything. Now I don't want to be left alone and will take any excuse to go out and be with others. When I'm home I fight with my family and have no desire to do any uni work. I'm half way through a law degree (I was always so driven) that I have no motivation to finish. The only way to describe how I feel is spaced out and when I'm alone I have constant butterflies which is so weird because I have nothing to be nervous about. I just want to be able to be motivated again and I don't know how

Hago Dreading returning to work.
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I've been struggling with depression and GAD for the last 2-3 years. Last year I was stood down from work because I had started to abuse alcohol to self medicate. I eventually got back to work after trying a handful of different anti-... View more

Hello everyone, I've been struggling with depression and GAD for the last 2-3 years. Last year I was stood down from work because I had started to abuse alcohol to self medicate. I eventually got back to work after trying a handful of different anti-depressants, and kind of kicking the drinking problem. 6 months later I've had another break down and have taken 5 weeks off work, haven't left the house bar one time to go and talk to a friend. I even talked myself out of catching up with said friend over the weekend, which would have been good. Now I'm at the point where I have to return to work tomorrow. How can I do this? The thought of having to try and interact with my workmates after hiding away for the last 5 weeks is doing my head in. I had quite a while off last year and now this. It's tough. I've got this idea in my head that everyone thinks I'm strange or weird, unreliable, I'm awkward. I'm trying to convince myself to just not care. Just turn up. But yeah, It's tough. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

RealBobby Lost in life
  • replies: 3

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? For some reason I hate social interactions so I have no school friends, close to no hobbies and I had this business idea to help the environment that I thought was really good and I spent the last week... View more

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? For some reason I hate social interactions so I have no school friends, close to no hobbies and I had this business idea to help the environment that I thought was really good and I spent the last week researching about it, I tell my dad who's a businessman and he basically says it's a terrible idea. The business idea was pretty much the only thing that kept me going I don't know what to do with my life I look on Instagram and see all the amazing times my schoolmates are having while during my holidays I spend 8 hours a day on the internet which I don't really enjoy. Why am I so stupid socially and what are some good hobbies? I'm not looking forward to 10 weeks of school which will be a nightmare especially when the teachers always say 'our school is so welcoming and friendly' when I'm the only person that can't make any friends. Then I've got 6 weeks holidays where I'll probably do nothing but browse the internet.

Fox_tail Work Anxiety Related - I want a solution!
  • replies: 1

Been working casual in this place for nearly half year, I was utterly upset about the treatment on their last-minute reasons/work day cancellations and changes on my shift - it was meant to be at least 1 day a week, and now they just ask me to standb... View more

Been working casual in this place for nearly half year, I was utterly upset about the treatment on their last-minute reasons/work day cancellations and changes on my shift - it was meant to be at least 1 day a week, and now they just ask me to standby but not paying me unless they give me work. I am trying to negotiate to change my contract as project base so that I can move on to other jobs, but they questioned me when I giving my day to someone else while I don't even know if I can get to work with them on that 1 day. Now they just likely to read my email and messages and not replying me. This has been happening for a week now. I am very sensitive in interacting with coworkers as I have some bad experiences and my 6th sense is just as accurate as it is. I am wondering if they are trying to ignore me until I make a move or they just too coward to say they don't need me anymore? What is the best way to deal with this situation? Can anyone give me a suggestion?

LaserBeamOCD New to Beyond Blue.
  • replies: 4

Hi! I joined this forum as I have Bipolar Disorder type 2, OCD, anxiety, PTSD and Stress Response Syndrome. Am looking forward to chatting with people, learning new skills, supporting others and receiving support in return. It's nice to be here.

Hi! I joined this forum as I have Bipolar Disorder type 2, OCD, anxiety, PTSD and Stress Response Syndrome. Am looking forward to chatting with people, learning new skills, supporting others and receiving support in return. It's nice to be here.

JellicoeGirl99 That constant pit in my stomach
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I've posted once before about a specific issue and since then have replied to other posts, but I've been wanting to post again for a while now I have really good stages with my anxiety and really bad, but at the moment I just feel this in bet... View more

Hi all, I've posted once before about a specific issue and since then have replied to other posts, but I've been wanting to post again for a while now I have really good stages with my anxiety and really bad, but at the moment I just feel this in between... and I hate it. I have this pit in my stomach even while just walking in the shops, like I could panic at any moment. Sometimes I just get scared nothing will ever change. I will always be too scared to date and panic when I try to, always break down as soon as a customer is rude to me at work, always feel nervous in normal situations. I see a psychologist and am due for an appointment, but I guess I just want to know from people who have or are experiencing similar things, if it gets better? If I'll change or find someone who understands me even though it feels so impossible right now? Any advice, wisdom, or success stories would be greatly appreciated JellicoeGirl

Vanillabulldog OCD and how to cope?
  • replies: 4

I have severe OCD and lately i have been waking up a lot feeling like i'm drowning. I want to scream help help help all the time at the top of my lungs. How does everyone find they deal best with severe ocd?

I have severe OCD and lately i have been waking up a lot feeling like i'm drowning. I want to scream help help help all the time at the top of my lungs. How does everyone find they deal best with severe ocd?

WJD Advice needed for progressing in therapy
  • replies: 6

Hi I have fairly severe social anxiety and have been going to therapy for treatment in the last two months. I've got to the point where i'm now being strongly encouraged to put myself in the centre of attention in public places (eg. doing star jumps ... View more

Hi I have fairly severe social anxiety and have been going to therapy for treatment in the last two months. I've got to the point where i'm now being strongly encouraged to put myself in the centre of attention in public places (eg. doing star jumps in the middle of shopping centres) so I can realise that no harm comes from peoples judgement. The problem is I don't feel like i'm yet capable of achieving this. It literally feels like something i'm incapable to, do despite knowing it's my thoughts that create these emotions that prevent me from doing it. My question is, was there ever a point in therapy where you felt like you just hit a wall and couldn't progress any further? I feel like i've hit that point but I don't wont to quit as it's an issue I need to confront. What did you's do to get though these points in therapy? Up to this point I have made a small but noticeable amount of progress but it now feels like i've just been thrown strait into the deep end.